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Has anyone else ever run into a problem with not having enough Destination Cards? I wonder if it only happened to us because we play little or no defense. Or maybe we happen to put more emphasis on finding the right Destination Cards than most people do? It just seems odd that it would even be possible to run short of them. I may have to make my own cards with some additional destinations. I'm not sure how else to handle it?

Has anyone else ever run into a problem with not having enough Destination Cards? I wonder if it only happened to us because we play little or no defense. Or maybe we happen to put more emphasis on finding the right Destination Cards than most people do? It just seems odd that it would even be possible to run short of them. I may have to make my own cards with some additional destinations. I'm not sure how else to handle it?

It all depends on what version of Ticket to Ride you are playing. With the USA map and Europe, there are the 1910 and 1912 expansions that add lots of new destination tickets. If you're talking about Switzerland, it's meant to have limited tickets so that people take lots of destinations.

I'm playing the USA version. I've only played with 4 people four times, and in one game we got down to having only 3 Destination Cards remaining. I have to think that, if I play with 4 or more players more often, we're bound to run out of destination cards. Is that supposed to be part of the strategy (to get cards while they last)?

Those last several cards that players pick up could easily be cards the same player rejected earlier in the game. With all the possible destinations that could be added to the game it doesn't seem like this should happen.

If you're playing the USA map and feel like you want more tickets, you should buy the 1910 expansion. It improves a few different things...

1) You get larger (full sized) Train Cards.
2) You get WAY more Destination tickets. I believe it adds 35 new destinations and replaces all of the current ones.
3) It adds the GlobeTrotter bonus card for the player who completes the most destination tickets.

Also there is a strategy to going out fast before people can get all destinations cards done. Try that when people are taking so many destinations. They will learn not to take so many, because there is a concern about making them all versus losing the points.

Those last several cards that players pick up could easily be cards the same player rejected earlier in the game. With all the possible destinations that could be added to the game it doesn't seem like this should happen.

It's very possible that people will end up with cards that someone else discarded, but nobody knows which cards you get, so the strategy doesn't change much. Like Onyx Puffin said, though, you can start going out a lot faster to catch people with unfinished cards in their hands!!

This is going to sound like I'm being defensive, and will probably make me a villian but here goes. Would it be possible for someone NOT to realize that ending the game as quickly as possible is a strategy of the game? The game is full of clever little strategies, that's what makes it so great, but I'd consider that one a no brainer. Unless my goal is to finish with lots of unused cards, I can't help but to finish as soon as possible. It's the best game ever, but nothing is perfect... say what you will, I don't think I should have to purchase another game to get enough destination cards.

This is going to sound like I'm being defensive, and will probably make me a villian but here goes. Would it be possible for someone NOT to realize that ending the game as quickly as possible is a strategy of the game? The game is full of clever little strategies, that's what makes it so great, but I'd consider that one a no brainer. Unless my goal is to finish with lots of unused cards, I can't help but to finish as soon as possible. It's the best game ever, but nothing is perfect... say what you will, I don't think I should have to purchase another game to get enough destination cards.

Ah, this doesn't make you a villain. People have posted my more inflamitory comments before!

I am a little confused, though, how you guys are running all the way out of destination tickets in a 4-person game of the USA map. There are 30 destination cards in the USA version, so that would mean you're each completing 7 tickets and some people are completing 8...

In a 4-player game, I can't imagine how you could possibly complete that many tickets for that many players. Maybe one or two people could complete 7 or 8 tickets, but not all 4 of you!

I've played a lot of games on the USA map and could count on one hand how many times I completed that many tickets in a 4-player game. Maybe you guys are just amazing!

The rules are, though, that if you somehow use up the tickets you can't take any more (obviously) and you try to win with the ones you have.

Thanks for your understanding, but I owe an apology. Just after writing about not having enough destination cards it dawned on me that the group I play the game with are so Christian that we even carry The Golden Rule into our game playing. In other words, we play ZERO defense. I'm guessing that just about everyone out there plays to win, which would mean playing at least a little defense. It's much easier to take more distination cards when you know no one is going to attempt to prevent you from achieving them. Playing with no defense also deprives the game of quite a bit of its strategy. If I ever get around to playing on-line, I could be in for a few lessons.

Thanks for your understanding, but I owe an apology. Just after writing about not having enough destination cards it dawned on me that the group I play the game with are so Christian that we even carry The Golden Rule into our game playing. In other words, we play ZERO defense. I'm guessing that just about everyone out there plays to win, which would mean playing at least a little defense. It's much easier to take more distination cards when you know no one is going to attempt to prevent you from achieving them. Playing with no defense also deprives the game of quite a bit of its strategy. If I ever get around to playing on-line, I could be in for a few lessons.

If that's a fun way of playing for you guys, then I say enjoy!!! Having said that (and as a fellow Christian) I can tell you that the game is equaly as fun if you actually do go for your routes in the best path for you...even if that means you sometimes get in the way of another player.

The game is designed with enough routes that you can usually find a way to your destinations, but the added uncertainty is very exciting!

We don't go out of our way NOT to block someone else's route... As a matter of fact, if it looks like someone may want the same route, we try to grab it before the other player does. But we never fill a route strictly for defensive purposes. I probably would if we had a more sleep-friendly couch

Just a quick interjection here. Make sure your rules are right. Discarded destination cards go on the bottom of the destination deck to resurface later. They are not discarded out of the game. We used to play that wrong, and ran out of tickets every time.

My family plays the no defense rule too - it's why I play so much online - to keep the playing senses sharp (well... okay... less dull!).

Even then my brother and I will allow for the taking of tickets for only so long when we get down to just needing one build. At that point the ridiculousness sets in and you say 'that's enough taking tickets, let's finish this' and we go on our way. Otherwise certain members of my family WOULD try to draw all of the destination tickets ---- in a MEGA GAME!

I have run out of tickets in regular USA ONCE online... that was an odd game!

We do realize that destination points are deducted if not reached, but I sure appreciate how well you people all think outside the box to figure out possible answers. When I get around to playing online, I hope I never have to face you and your strong, right side of the brain, thinking.

Thanks for all of your responses. I went ahead and made additional destination cards.